JEE or Joint Entrance Examination Main and Advanced serve as the primary way to admit into India’s top engineering institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. If you studied from a science background with this three subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), you’re already positioned well for this competitive exam. JEE Main is expected in between January and April 2025 and JEE Advanced is most likely to happen in May 2025. Here we tried to give a comprehensive, structured preparation guide for aspirants targeting top ranks.
Quick Overview of JEE Exams
| Feature | JEE Main | JEE Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | For NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | For IITs |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | CBT; Two papers with mixed question types |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Same as Main |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct MCQ, -1 for wrong MCQ | Varies: Partial, full, and negative marks |
| Eligibility | 12th pass or appearing | Top 2.5 lakh JEE Main scorers |
| Total Duration | 3 hours | 6 hours (2 papers) |
Step-by-Step JEE 2025 Preparation Plan
1. Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
JEE Main includes of 90 questions (75 to attempt), while Advanced has challenging conceptual questions. Focus heavily on Class 11 and 12 Science books, specially in Chemistry.
| Subject | Key Topics for JEE Main | Advanced-Level Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics | Electrodynamics, Modern Physics |
| Chemistry | Organic, Physical, Inorganic | Reaction mechanisms, Coordination Compounds |
| Math | Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry | Probability, Vectors, 3D Geometry |
Action: Download the official syllabus from jeemain.nta.ac.in and jeeadv.ac.in. Focus on high-weightage topics first.
2. Build a Realistic and Efficient Study Schedule
| Timeline | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| 12–6 Months Left | Full syllabus completion |
| 6–3 Months Left | Revision + Solving PYQs + Mock Tests |
| 3–0 Months Left | Full mocks + Quick revision + Exam strategy |
Sample Daily Plan (for Droppers or Class 12 Students)
| Time Slot | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30 AM–8:30 AM | Physics theory and numericals |
| 9:30 AM–11:30AM | Chemistry concepts and practice |
| 1:00 PM–3:00 PM | Mathematics problem-solving |
| 4:30 PM–6:00 PM | Mixed MCQ practice session |
| 8:00 PM–9:00 PM | Short revision + error analysis |
Action: Maintain a logbook or digital planner to track daily progress and weak topics.
3. Prioritize Syllabus and Core Concepts
Mastering 11-12th topic is essential, particularly for Chemistry (up to 70% questions in JEE Main derive from NCERT directly).
How to Approach:
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Read each chapter topics.
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Mark and note definitions, formulas, and diagrams.
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Solve all exercises.
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Complement with other advanced books.
4. Some Recommended Books for Advanced Preparation
| Subject | Must-Have Books |
|---|---|
| Physics | H.C. Verma, I.E. Irodov, DC Pandey, Halliday Resnick Walker |
| Chemistry | NCERT, O.P. Tandon (Physical), M.S. Chauhan (Organic), J.D. Lee |
| Math | Cengage Series, Arihant by Amit M. Agarwal, S.L. Loney |
5. Practice Questions and Take Mock Tests
| Practice Type | Frequency | Source Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Daily MCQs | 50–100 across subjects | MTG, Arihant, Coaching Materials |
| Weekly Full Mocks | 1–2 per week | NTA website, Allen, FIITJEE, Resonance |
| Past Year Papers | Last 10 years minimum | MTG 47+23 Series, Arihant Solved Papers |
| Error Log Review | Weekly | Maintain a notebook or spreadsheet |
You may use apps like Embibe, Testbook, or PW for timed quizzes and analytics.
6. Improve Weak Subjects
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Physics: If struggling in Mechanics, focus on solved examples from H.C. Verma.
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Chemistry: Revise Inorganic facts regularly; Organic requires repeated reaction mechanism practice.
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Maths: Time-bound practice of Calculus and Algebra problems is essential.
Tips: Allocate 1 extra hour daily to weak topics using topic-wise practice books.
7. Master Exam Strategy and Time Management
| Exam Time Tips | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Attempt easy sections first | Start with Chemistry or your strong area |
| Time per question | ~2 min for numericals, 1–1.5 min for MCQs |
| Skip & revisit strategy | Don’t spend >2 mins on a single question |
Tip: Simulate actual test conditions at home during practice mocks.
8. Create and Revise with Smart Notes
| Notes Type | Content Ideas |
|---|---|
| Formula Booklet | Physics and Math equations and derivations |
| Reaction Map | Organic Chemistry summary of key reactions |
| Flashcards | Inorganic trends, named reactions |
Tip: Dedicate at least 1–2 hours daily to active revision during the final months.
9. You may use various Online Resources
| Platform | Use |
|---|---|
| YouTube Channels | Physics Wallah, Unacademy JEE, Vedantu JEE |
| Apps | Embibe, Testbook, PW, NTA Mock Portal |
| Websites | jeemain.nta.ac.in, jeeadv.ac.in |
Action: Use free lectures for tough topics and test analysis tools to evaluate performance.
Cut-Off Trends (Based on JEE 2024)
| Category | JEE Main Percentile | Target Marks for NITs/IITs |
|---|---|---|
| General | 90–95 percentile | 150+ for decent NITs, 250+ for top |
| OBC | 75–80 percentile | 120–200 |
| SC/ST | 50–65 percentile | 90–150 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Skipping NCERT in favor of tough books too early.
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Neglecting mock test analysis.
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Memorizing instead of understanding concepts.
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Ignoring time management during preparation or exam.